how much will this hurt me?

Applying to College
1

<p>I spent my freshman year in New Zealand. I am from asia and was there only to learn english and make friends. I didnt even have to take the tests if I didnt want to. The school let me do it because they didnt take me seriously as they knew I was only there for english and would go back in a year.</p>

<p>Now I am applying to american colleges (i go to hs in the states) and when I saw New Zealand transcripts, they had all the teachers comments in them. All the teachers wrote about how I have the capacity to do well but don’t try hard…dont focus…chat in class etc.</p>

<p>My u.s high school gpa is decent…i think i will end up with 3.8uw and 4.1weighted…but I am really worried about the comments on my freshman year transcript cuz I know colleges look at students attitude more than the grades…</p>

<p>how much will this hurt? say, if I have over 2100 on my sat(2000 now), will it help?
I am really worrried…all the comments I got from teachers in the states are like " the only student i’ve ever encountered…hard working…etc" but then these comments don’t go to college so they won’t know.</p>

<p>I am relaly worried. I wish i could take the comments out of NZ transcripts but I can’t…:frowning:
how much will it hurt…? should I write as an excuse?</p>

2

<p>I would not write an excuse. That just draws attention to it. Since it was freshman year and you have done better since then you should be fine.</p>

3

<p>it will hurt you alot. if the transcripts only had your bad grades, then it would be okay since it was your freshman year but if the comments tell about how bad your attitude is, you won’t get in anywhere</p>